Kathie Lee Gifford is an American icon and legend to me. However, many people may not be aware of her love for the Bible. After leaving her day job at the Today Show, Gifford packed her bags, went to Israel, and discovered what she had been longing for: a deeper connection to God.
In an interview with Crosswalk, Gifford admits, "My faith wasn't strong before going to Israel and digging deeper into the word." She is clear that the trip to Israel changed her life spiritually, which, according to Gifford, has been life-changing. "Before going to Israel and digging deeper into God's word, I realized that my life was pretty shallow." Gifford is the author of a new book titled Herod and Mary, which explores two completely opposite Biblical figures.
Crosswalk Headlines: When did you know God called you to write Herod and Mary?
Kathie Lee Gifford: My initial fascination with Herod and Mary started in 2012 when I went on my very first rabbinical trip to the Holy Land. A brilliant teacher named Ray Vander Lon taught me so much about the Bible and how important it is to go to the source material, which is the original language. A brand-new fire started in me to want to know more about God's word, which led me to write the book.
CWH: What do you want people to walk away with after reading the book?
KLG: Once again, going to Israel changed my life, it started a fire in me. I was lukewarm and hungry spiritually for most of my life. I'd gone to church, written songs, written musicals. I was not studying the true word of God. I want people to see what God has been doing in my life for the last few years. Basically, you get a story about Jesus being born and a couple of mentions of Herod, but you don't learn anything else about Herod other than that he wasn't a good guy. I want the book to take people deeper into the lives of Mary and Herod.
CWH: What was one of the things that you learned about Herod that you didn't already know?
KLG: The Jews hated him because he wasn't Jewish. He was probably the greatest architect of all time and the richest man in the world. Herod was friends with Julius Caesar and many more powerful leaders of his day. Herod's main problem was that he lusted after power and was deeply carnal and sexual. He murdered his sons. He murdered the only woman he ever loved in his life. During my research, I became fascinated by King Herod and his lifestyle.
CWH: What kind of influence did your son Cody have on you when writing the book?
KLG: Cody loves this kind of stuff. He had a huge influence on the project. I remember saying to Cody, '"If Jesus is the greatest story ever told, Herod is one of the greatest stories never told." I couldn't have done the project without Cody.
CWH: What did you learn about Mary?
KLG: We had to do some digging into Mary's life. We studied ancient and respected sources. Josephus also wrote a lot about her. I wanted to flesh Mary's story out more. I've always had an enormous affection for Mary; she was there at the birth. God chose a woman to give the greatest honor of all time to be the mother of the world's Savior. Mary also suffered greatly. She was at the cross and watched her son die; she was also at the tomb. During the research, I discovered that Mary might have even worked at the temple and was probably involved in the music and the processionals. Mary probably spent a great deal of her early life as part of the worship in the temple.
CWH: What has your retirement years been like and what's next for you?
KLG: I can't retire from telling people about the love of God. Although my career has changed, I'm now doing it by authoring books and producing films. Working alongside my son Cody may be the greatest chapter of my life.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Paul Archuleta/Stringer
MAINA MWAURA is a freelance writer and journalist who has interviewed over 800 influential leaders, including two US Presidents, three Vice-Presidents, and a variety of others. Maina, is also the author of the Influential Mentor, How the life and legacy of Howard Hendricks Equipped and Inspired a Generation of Leaders. Maina and his family reside in the Kennesaw, Georgia area.